Developing apparatus



A. LANGSNER 1,759,483

DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1927 l 2 Sheets-Sheet l May zo,1930.

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May 20, 1930. A. LANGSNER 1,759,483

DEVELOPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1927 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May20, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE ADOLPH LANGSNER, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EUGENE DIETZGEN COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPORATION 0F 'DELAWARE DEVELOPING APPARATUS Application led December22, 1927. Serial No. 241,780.

This invention relates to a developing ap paratus for light sensitivepaper and particularly to an apparatus for developing the paper by meansof the fumes of a developing gas.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a developing apparatusadapted to contain a material such as a liquid, and to house a sheet orroll of the paper to be developed preferably above the developing liquidso that the gases from the liquid will rise upwardly through the foldsof the paper to develop the same, and this construction includes a coverfor the liquid containing chamber which cover is adapted to be openedand closed by a control member operable lfrom the exterior of the deviceso that the cover can be manipulated without the removal of the housing,which construction prevents the escape of the developing fumes when thecover is o ened or closed.

till another object of my invention resides in providing a simple typeof developing ap paratus which includes a base for containing thedeveloping liquid and from which rises an enclosing housing or toweradapted to receive a sheet or coil of the paper to be developed andwherein the liquid containing member of the base is provided with acover for opening and closing the liquid containing receptacle andprovided with a cover handle for opening and closing the cover wherebyto permit the escape of the developing fumes into the tower or to shutoff the escape of the fumes.

Still another object of my invention resides in the means of supportingthe roll or sheet of paper to be developed immediately above thecontainer for the developing liquid as for instance by means of a wireor a oraminat-ed support located above the shiftable cover so that thecover may be opened or closed without contacting with the paper, oralternatively, the paper may be supported directly upon the movablecover.

Still a further object of my invention resides in providing aconstruction wherein the cover member is directly operable by means ofthe tower which encloses the paper to be developed, as for instance bymeans of a construction wherein the tower may be shifted angularly orlongitudinally to open or close the cover member.

Still another object of my invention resides in providing an alternativeconstruction wherein in order to open the closure for the liquidcontainer, the tube or tower must be first removed and then the closuremay be manually opened, and this construction also includes means forretaining the cover in tightly closed position.

Still further objects of my invention reside in providing the varioustypes of controi means for opening and closing the cover either by theactuation of the tubular tower, or by the actuation of a control membersuch as the wheel or the lever of the cam member located on the exteriorof the developing apparatus so that the tube need not be removed for theopening and closing of the cover, or by means of a simple type of handoperated device on the cover itself, which device is operable after thetubular tower has been removed7 for opening and closing the cover.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from a perusalof the following specification ywhen taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein Fig. l is a view of one form of my devicewherein the cover member is opened and closed by means of a hand wheellocated at the base of the developing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an exterior view of thedevice, the upper portion of the papertube or housing being shown in section;

Fig. 3 a sections?. view teiten Fig. i;

Fig. 4 is another modification showing the throng 1 manner of openingand closing the cover bymeans of an axial pin through the containermember and the loosely pivoted lever for operating the same;

Fig. is a top plane view of thefsame; Fig. 6 is yet another modificationof the use of a lever and a cam for raising and lowering the cover; Fig.7 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8'is a sectioncorresponding to Fig. 6 but taken at right angles thereto.

Referring now to the drawings in detail,

my invention comprises a suitable base havging a Well or liquidreservoir to receive the "usual developing liquid such as ammonia.

` This base is provided with a 'cover for the several arrangements of myinvention the vto 3, inclusive, the opening and closin the cover for thetube is accomplishe tube .and the cover for the reservoir in the baseare arranged so that the cover for the reservoir may be opened orclosed, or may be retained `in closed position without opening so thatthe possibility of fumes escaping from the'reservoir when the tube ortower is removed with the developed paper therein is eliminated. f

Inthe construction shown in Figures 1f.

o by means of an operative connection extending to a point outsidefofthe developing chamber so that the fumes are unable to escape during theopening and closing of the cover. In this instance the casting 72 1sformed with a concentric and axially located sleeve 74 to provide aconcentric ring-like container 76 in whichv the developing iiuid isheld. The inner bore ofthis sleeve 74 is threaded to receive a spindle78 likewise threaded and provided on its lower end with a hand wheel 80and on its upperv end with a circular cover 82 lwhich is riveted, as at84, to the spindle 78. The'upper edge of the casting 72 is preferablyprovided with a beveled seat, although this is not absolutely essential,and this beveledl seat is adapted to co-operate with a similar beveledseat 86 on the under surface of the circular cover 82. In addition, thiscircular cover 82 is provided with an upstanding fiange 88 whichprovides a pocket or support for the sheet or roll 90 of light sensitivematerial to be developed. It will be noted in this instance that thismaterial is supported directly on the top of the cover and that when thehand wheel 80 is turned, the cover 82 will be opened or closed while atthe same time supporting the material. The fumes will rise and passupwardly at the peripheral edges of the cover 82. In this instance also,no escape of the developing fumes can occur during the opening andclosing of the cover. In this form of device I provide a drain vandfilling opening 92 at the base of the receptacle 76 which consists of aplug threading into an to wholly enclose the gaseous aperture in thebase of the casting 72 and this plug is provided with a drain outlet 94and a filling inlet 96 both of which are controlled by a valve 98 which,when in one position, opens and closes the filling inlet and when in astill further outward position, opens and closes the drain.

vAnother important feature of this form of my invention resides in theconstruction of the base for supporting the casting 72 and the tower. Inthis construction the basal support consists of a bracket 7 3 having avertical portion more or less in the form cfa V the apex of which isformed with a horizontal extending toe and just above this apex the wallportionis provided with apertures for the reception of a screw. Thehorizontal portion 73 in the bracket is arranged so as to support thecasting 72. By means of screws 75 passing through perforated ears 77 onthe base of the casting and likewise passing through threaded openingsin the horizontal wall 73 of the bracket. Twoof the ears and the screwpassin thereto are adapted to detachably assernb e the legs 79 so thatwhen the apparatus is adapted to be stood-on the floor or otherhorizontal support, the bracket will constitute one leg and the othertwo legs will be melted into place on the ears and held in place bymeans of the screws 7 5 whereas when it is desired to mount thedeveloped apparatus on a wall or panel, the legs 79 are detached andscrews are passed through the openings 81 of the bracket so that thebracket mayl be screwed upon the wall. The foregoing apparatus providesa very convenient mounting for my improved developing apparatus. Y

It will be noted that this horizontal portion 7 3 of the bracket isconsiderably apertured to permit the passa e of the operating spindle78. This is prefera ly accomplished by forming the base with thehorizontal ribs 81 which are spaced apart. n From the foregoing it willbe appreciated that I have provided a very ingenious and advantageousconstruction for the development of the sensitive paper by means ofdeveloping gasses; that this structure, by reason of its compactness andparticularlyv by reason of the improved means for closing the cover,eliminates the objectionable features of existin devices; that is, theescape of the obnoxious unies into the atmosphere when the tube isinserted and removed.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 and- 5, the base 100. is providedwith a central axially disposed sleeve 102 bored to receive a pin 104which is adapted to slide vertically in the sleeve. The portion 106 ofthe baseimmediately surrounding the sleeve provides the receptacle forthe developing liquid. The pin 104 is or may be fastened to the cover108 which cover, when in normally closed position, engages at its edgesin' a seat 110 in the upper edge of the casting 100, which edge isformed with a beveled lip forming a substantially gas tight joint withthe corresponding beveled edge of the'cover. Figure 4 shows the cover inopen position. Means for raising and lowering the pin 104 is providedpivoted on the under side of the base 100 which means, in the presentinstance, consist of a lever 110 pivoted intermediate its length on aswivel pivotal pin 112 so that by moving the lever about its pivot, thepin 104 is shifted axially in order to raise the cover 108. The levermay be arranged for pivotal movement in any desii-ed plane, and I haveshown in Figures 4 and 5, the lever 110 pivoted to swing in planes, oneof which is transverse to the other. The first plane of pivot is in avertical direction as shown in Fig. 4, While the second plane of pivotis clearly shown as in the horizontal plane in Fi 5. This constructionpermits the lever to co-operate or disconnect from a depending -finger114 fastened to the basal edge of the tubular cover 116. Obviously, thisfinger 114 may be located on the base, if desired. However, by lacing itupon the tube 116, the raisinfr and ovvering of the cover 108, when thetube 116 is applied or removed from the base 100, is automaticallycontrolled. On the other hand, b shifting the lever 110 in aho-rizent-al p ane it may be moved out of the vertical plane of finger114. This construction may be used either automatically to open thecover 108 or may be o erated by hand, as for instance, by pressingownwardly on the outer end of the lever 110, the cover may be opened andthen b shifting the lever laterall it may be placedy under the lower endof the nger 114 so that the cover is held in raised position. Obviously,by merely turning the tube 116, the finger will be removed from over thetop of this lever 110 and the cover will drop by gravity.

In the modification shown in Fig. T to 9 inclusive, I provide stillanother means for opening and closing the cover from the exterior of thedeveloping chamber. In this case the base 118 is likewise provided withan axial sleeve 120 bored to receive a pin 122 which is adapted to slideup and down in this sleeve 120.4 This pin has rigidly connected to itstop portions the cover 124 adapted to open and close upon the lip'of thecasting 118 which forms the usual developing liquid chamber. In order toraise and lovver the pin 122, I provide the under surface of the casting118 with a depending projection to which is pivotally mounted, asat`126, the operating lever 128. The inner end of this lever is providedwith an arcuately shaped cam member 130, the upper face of which issubstantially Wedge shaped as shown at 132,- and this portion is ladapted to co-operate with the basal portion 134 of the stem 122 whichbasal portion has a depending portion 136 of'smaller diameter e shiftedto the right or left to which passes through the slot in the arcuate ilink W ereby to form a guide. The upper portion 134 of the stem 122being larger than the extending slot, Will not pass therethrough,

and the base of this portion 134 is preferably rounded so as to slidefreely along the upper cam surface of thearcuate slotted link. Hence,when the outer endof the lever 128 is moved in one direction or theother, the pin 122 and cover will be raised or lowered Without theremoval of the developing tube 138.

It will thus be appreciated that by reason of the foregoingconstructions involving a detachable tube or tower and a base portionforming a receptacle for the developing liquid and provided with a coverto permit communication ot the fumes rising from the developing liquidinto the tower or absolutely cutting them off, and in further providingeither for the automatic opening and closin of this cover either fromthe shifting of the tube itself or from shiftable cover operatingmechanisms extending to the outside of the developing chamber, I amenabled to prevent the escape of the developing fumes durinor theopening and closing of the cover. VVhi e in certain of the other forms Iprovide most simple and yet effective constructions for opening andclosing the cover but Without the fea` tures of accomplishing it eitherby the shifting of the tube on the base or Without the eX- teriorcontrol. In these latter instances the cover is opened or closed byremoving the tube and by positively operating the cover.

It Will also be appreciated that by reason of the novel construction ofthe paper support or bracket, I am enabled to permanently mount thisbracket on the base so that it does not constitute a part which may belost during the operation of my device, and further that by reason ofthe novel construction of this paper bracket I am enabled not only tohave it project Well up into the tower or tube Where it may support thepaper in the gaseous zone in the tube, bearing in mind that this gasarises to the upper end of the closed tube, but I am also able tosupportthe paper in a manner such that the support does not interferewith the opening and closing of the reservoir. The construction of thecover 28 and the manner of pivotally mounting it upon the walls formingthe Well is also a most advantageous construction, since this cover isthus arranged to open substantially to full position and thereby permitthe quick escape of the gaseous fumes from the well; in addition thisconstruction provides an effective seal for the top of the well when thecover is closed, yet at the same time permits the positioning of thevertical legs 68 ofthe bracket' on the walls of the Well.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a developing apparatus, the combinagas ion

' 30 position.

tion of a base formin a receptacle for a developing medium, a tu ulartower detachably connected to said base and adapted to receive a sheetof light-sensitive material to be de- 5 veloped by fumes evolved by thedeveloping medlum, a cover for opening and closing the receptacle, a pinshiftably mounted in the base and operatively engaging said cover toshift the same, a lever pivotally mounted on said base and adapted to beoperated from a point on the exterior ofthe base for shifting the pin,the lever being'fmounted for operative movement in a plane transverse tothe operating movement of the pin and co-operating means for engagingthe lever when the latter is shifted in its transverse plane for holdingthe cover in raised position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base forniedwith a receptacle for a developingr medium, a tubular tower detachablyengaging the base and providing a developing chamber, la cover for thereceptacle, a pin slidably mounted in the base and operatively engagingthe cover, a lever pivoted on said base intermediate its ends and avingone end arranged to engage the pin i and a lookin nger adapted to engagethe other end of t e lever when in one of its shifted positions, so asto hold the cover in open 3. In a developing apparatus, the combinationof a base having a receptacle for a developingr medium, a tubular towerdetachably mounted on the base and communicating with the receptacle' toform a developing chamber, a cover for the receptacle, a pin slidablymounted on the base and operatively engaging the cover to raise thesame, a lever pivoted on the base intermediate its end and having itsinner end engage the base of the pin, axde'pending finger connected tothe tubular tower and adapted to engage the outer end of the lever.

l4. In a developing apparatus, the combination of a base having areceptacle for a developing medium, a tubular tower detacliably mountedon the base and communicating with the receptacle to form a developingchamber, a cover for the receptacle, a pin slidably mounted on the baseand operatively engaging the cover to raise the same, a lever pivoted onthe base intermediate its end and having its inner end engage the baseof the piu, a depending linger connected to the tubular tower andadapted to engage the outer ,end of the lever, said lever being pivotedso as to be shii'table in both vertical and hori zontal planes.

5. In aA device ot the class described,` the eoA combination of a baseforming a receptacle for a developing medium, artubular tower detachablymounted on said base and communi eating with the receptacle and forminga developing chamber, a cover adapted to open and close said receptacle,means for shifting said cover with respect to the base, said coverforming a support for the sheet of light-sensitive material to bedeveloped by the fumes of the liquid in said rece tacle.

6. In a device ot the c ass described, the combination of a base forminga receptacle for a developing medium, a housing removably mounted to thebase and communicating with the receptacle and adapted to receive asheet of light sensitive material to be developed by the fumes of thedeveloping medium, a closure for the receptacle and means extendingthrough the Walls of the receptacle for opening the closure.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base forminga receptacle for a developing medium, a housing removably mounted to thebase and communicating with the receptacle and adapted to receive asheet of light sensitive material to be developed by the fumes of thedeveloping medium, a closure for the receptacle and means extendingthrough the bottom of the receptacle for opening the closure.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base forminga receptacle tor a developing medium, a housing removably mounted to thebase and communicating With the receptacle and adapted to receive asheet of livht sensitive material to be develvoped by the fumes of thedeveloping medium, a closure for the receptacle and means including anaxially movable shaft extend ing through the bottom of the receptaclefor opening the closure.

9. In a device of t-helclass described, the combination of a baseforming a receptacle for a` developing medium, a housing, adapted toreceive light sensitive material to be developed by fumes of thedeveloping medium, removably mounted upon the base and communicatingwith the receptacle, a closure for said receptacle normally arranged toseal the receptacle against the escape of fumes and axially movablemeans for shifting the closure from sealing position.` l

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a baseforming a receptacle for a developing medium, a housing adapted toreceive light sensitive material to be developed by fumes of thedeveloping medium, removably mounted upon the base and communicatingWith the receptacle, a cover for said receptacle normally arranged toseal the receptacle against the escape of fumes, and axially movablemeans extending through the Walls of the receptacle whereby to raise thecover to thereby permit of the escape of developing fumes into thehousing.

ll. In a device of the class described, the combination of a baseforming a receptacle for a developing medium, a housing, adapted toreceive light sensitive material to be developed by fumes of thedeveloping medium, removably mounted upon the base and communicatingwith the receptacle, a cover for Said receptacle normally arranged toseal the receptaclea ainst the escape of fumes, and

vmeans opera le to raise the cover to thereby receptacle against theesca-pe of fumes, and

means com rising an axially movable shaftj extending t rough the wallsof the receptacle for actuating the cover to permit fumes to escape.from the receptacle into the housing to develop the light sensitivematerial therein and means formed and arranged on the housing foractuating the cover raising means.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of a baseforming a receptacle for a developing medium, a housin removably mountedto the rece tacle an communicating therewith and a apted to receive asheet of light sensitive material to be developed by the fumes of thedeveloping medium, a closure for the rece tacle and means comprising anaxially mova le rod extending through the bottom of the receptacle foropening the closure and means formed and arranged on the base foractuating the closure opening meanswhen the housing is. mounted to thebase. A

14. In -a device of the class described, the combination of a-baseforming a receptacle for a .developing medium, a housin removablymounted tothe rece tacle an communicatin therewith 'and a apted toreceive a sheet o light sensitive material to be developed by the fumesof the develo ing medium, a closure for the receptacle an meanscomprising an axially movable rod extending through the bottom of thereceptacle for opening the closure and means formed and arranged on thebase for actuating the closure opening' means when the housing isvmounted to the base, releasing the closure opening means to therebypermit fumes to escape from the receptacle when the housing is assembledto the base.

15. A developing apparatus, comprising means arranged to form adeveloping com- 1oartment, having an opening for the introduction oflight sensitive material intothe compartment, a separable closure forsealing said opening, means for emitting gases into the compartment, andmeans carried by said closure for controlling the emission of said gasesinto said compartment.

16. A developing apparatus for light sensitive material comprising acompartment having an opening for the insertion of light sensitivematerial into the compartment, means for creating chemically activegases and projecting them into the compartment through the openingthereof and manually operable means for controlling the projection ofsaid gases into said compartment. 17. A developingapparatus com risingmeans forming a developing chamber aving an opening, a separable closurefor said opening, means-formed vand arranged in said closure foremitting developin ases into the chamber and.. manually opera emeans forcontrolling the emission of said gases into said chamber.

18. A developing apparatus comprising means forming a developing chamberhaving an opening, a separable closure for said opening, means formedand arranged in said l .for sealing said opening, said closure beingformed with a receptacle for a developing medium, means for closing saidreceptacle whereby to prevent the escape therefrom of the developingmedium and means for opening said receptacle whereby to permit of theemission of gases into the developing compartment.

, 20. A developing apparatus comprising means arranged to form a develoing chamber having an opening, a separa le closure for sealing saidopening, said closure being formed Iwith a receptacle for a. developingmedium, means for closing said receptacle whereby to prevent the escapetherefrom of the developing medium, said means comprising a cover forthe receptacle and means operable from outside of the closure forshifting the cover.

21. A developing apparatus comprising means arranged to form a develoing chamber having an opening, a separa le closure for sealing saidopening, said closure being formed with a receptacle for a developingmedium, means for closing said receptacle whereby to prevent the escapetherefrom of the developing medium, said means comprising a cover forvthe receptacle, andan ax1ally shiftable member co-operating with saidcover and operable from the exterior of said closure for shifting thecover to open the receptacle whereby the'developing medium may beemitted into the chamber.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed. my name.

ADOLPH LANGSNER.

apparatus comprising lll

